The Federal Government has confirmed an Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with health authorities identifying 44 close contacts as part of efforts to prevent further transmission.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, following laboratory confirmation of the infection.

According to the statement, the patient is a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda.

She was reportedly admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received treatment for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed.

The woman is currently in isolation and receiving medical care, while public health teams have commenced contact tracing to identify and monitor people who may have been exposed to the virus.

Those being monitored reportedly include healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and individuals who may have come into contact with the patient during her travels.

Pate said the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the FCT Health Services Secretariat and other relevant authorities were working together to contain the infection.

He added that surveillance had been intensified and the hospital where the patient was treated was receiving support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.

The minister urged individuals contacted during the tracing exercise, including relevant airline passengers, to provide the necessary information and comply with public health advice.

He also directed public and private healthcare facilities nationwide to remain vigilant, promptly report suspected cases and ensure the immediate isolation of suspected patients. Healthcare workers were further advised to observe strict infection prevention and control measures.

The government urged Nigerians to remain calm, practise regular hand hygiene and avoid contact with the bodily fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola.

Symptoms of the disease include fever, severe weakness, headache, vomiting and diarrhoea. Members of the public who suspect exposure were advised to contact public health authorities immediately, even if they had not developed symptoms.

Anyone who develops symptoms after a possible exposure was urged to avoid close contact with others and seek guidance from public health authorities before visiting a healthcare facility.

Pate warned against spreading unverified information or stigmatising people who might have been exposed, stressing the importance of relying on official sources for accurate updates.

He said investigations were ongoing, adding that the Federal Government, FCT authorities and their partners were working to protect healthcare workers, patients and the wider public.

The statement also disclosed that the NCDC's toll-free call centre was available round the clock to provide information and receive reports of suspected cases. Members of the public were advised to call 6232 for assistance.